Adare (Limerick) defeated Kiskeam (Cork) by 0-13 to 0-10 in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship Semi-Final on Sunday November 13th at Mallow.

Adare serve notice with skilful show in Mallow

Report by Diarmuid Sheehan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Adare (Limerick) 0-13 Kiskeam (Cork) 0-10: Adare booked their place in the Munster Club IFC final in impressive fashion with an impressive dismissal of Cork champions Kiskeam at the Mallow GAA Complex yesterday.

The Limerick side made little of their underdog status and had too much guile for a Kiskeam side that struggled for long periods and ultimately ran out of both steam and luck.

Led in the scoring stakes by Shane Costello and Hugh Bourke, Adare dominated the opening 10 minutes, conceded the next 10, before regaining their composure and taking control of the tie for the remainder of the game.

“I just can’t say what it means to us here” manager Harry Gleeson admitted afterwards. “We came here with what we thought was a great bunch of lads, a great group, all friends and we did what many people thought we couldn’t. I am so proud of everyone involved.”

His Kiskeam counterpart Denis Reen was rocked by the reversal yet paid huge tribute to the Limerick champions. “They deserved it. They are a great side” said Reen. “They could have won this by a lot more. We looked tired.

“We were training well but on the day the better side won and I wish them all the best in the future. This side will take some beating”.

Kiskeam had some early chances with the best of those falling to David Scannell. After a slow start from the Cork side they got to the pace of proceedings after falling 0-4 to 0-1 behind with Tom O’Sullivan impressing for the winners.

Kiskeam drew level after 11 minutes with two more fine scores before wing forward Robert Carroll gave the north Cork side the lead with a fisted effort.

Adare could have capitulated at that point but credit to the men in red and black they battled back in what was quickly becoming a highly entertaining encounter. Adare’s Costello was causing no end of problems in the opening period with one of his mazy runs on 20 minutes leading to a golden opportunity for Davy Lyons however a brilliant save from sweeper Daniel Fitzgerald meant the game was all square at the break.

Adare looked comfortable after the restart as Kiskeam began to wilt with Costello, midfielder Jack English and centre-forward Bourke all showing that this is a side that must be taken seriously.

For Kiskeam this will be a tough loss, however, with senior football in their immediate future there will be many more big days ahead.

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Kenmare (Kerry) defeated Kifenora (Clare) by 3-11 to 0-7 in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship Semi-Final on Sunday November 13th at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney.

Dream start sets up Kenmare for victory

Report by Mortimer Murphy for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Kenmare Shamrocks (Kerry) 3-11 Kilfenora (Clare) 0-7: Kenmare Shamrocks qualified for their second Munster Club final in five years with a 13 point win over Clare champions Kilfenora in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney yesterday.

The Kerry outfit had a dream start: Paul O’Connor set up All-Ireland winning Kerry minor captain Seanie O’Shea for their first goal inside the opening minute.

Despite that early blow Kilfenora refused to crumble with skipper Cian O’Dea and Killian Malone leading their charge Indeed Kenmare can thank goalkeeper Kieran Fitzgibbon and full back Tommy O’Sullivan for denying the visitors goals in a fast-paced first half.

O’Connor was again the provider for Kenmare’s second goal through Stephen O’Brien, a strike which handed them a 2-6 to 0-5 lead at half-time. However, they were guilty of overplaying the ball at times instead of taking the simpler option when it came to scores. Despite the high profile of the Kenmare full- forward line it was some of their less heralded figures like midfielder David Hallissey along with Shane and Kevin O’Sullivan who impressed most in this victory.

O’Connor scored the game’s third goal two minutes after the restart to end the game as a contest at 3-6 to 0-5. Both Malone and James Keane were the Clare side’s only scorers from play on the day as O’Dea slotted over two impressive ‘45’s’ as part of a three-point total. Kenmare now look to do the Munster Club IFC and JFC double when they face Adare.

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Thurles CBS and Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy played out an exciting draw after extra time in the Dean Ryan Cup (Under 16.5 A Hurling) Final on Saturday November 12th at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick – Thurles CBS 3-13 Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 1-19.

The replay will take place on Saturday November 19th at 2pm in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Late points save St Colman’s

Report by John Horgan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Thurles CBS 3-13 St Colman’s, Fermoy 1-19 (aet): Thurles CBS and St Colman’s Fermoy could not be separated despite playing 20 minutes extra-time in the final of the Dean Ryan Cup at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

The teams were level after 30 minutes, 1-4 to 0-7, with the Thurles goal arriving in the 27th minute from Darren Flood from a penalty after Jack Lanigan had been fouled. Conleith Ryan posted six of the St Colman’s points in that opening half.

They were deadlocked a number of times in the second-half with Thurles banging home a second goal in the 35th minute from Lanigan after being set up by Kieran Moloney.

However, the Fermoy team responded very quickly with a goal from David Morrisson a few minutes later. It was 2-11 to 1-14 after the hour with Thurles securing some good scores from Darragh Tynan, Flood, Lanigan and Jack Morrissey.

James Kearney, Ryan, Eoin Carey and Conor Barry did likewise for Fermoy but there was still no resolution after the hour.

Sub Eoin Purcell delivered a third goal for Thurles in extra-time but points from Brian Roche, Carey and Barry again for St Colman’s ensured that the sides must do it all over again in the replay. In the final analysis it was the right outcome between two very committed sides.

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Ballyduff Lower (Waterford) 0-14 Ballybacon-Grange (Tipperary) 0-6: Ballyduff Lower, in action for the third time in a week given their ongoing Waterford JFC campaign, powered into the provincial decider following a comfortable win over Ballybacon-Grange at Walsh Park on Saturday.

Brian Power’s reliability from the dead ball, coupled with four points from play by former inter-county man Jack Kennedy, propelled the Déise men to victory against a Ballybacon outfit who landed just three points from play, and only one during the second-half.

On a day when neither side carried a potent goal threat, Ballyduff led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break, having responded well to Ballybacon’s positive opening, after the Tipp men led by two points inside the opening three minutes.

However, as the match wore on, Ballybacon’s inability to make good on decent territory was punished by Ballyduff’s greater accuracy, as Power and Kennedy ensured their campaign will endure into a Munster Final appearance on December 4th.

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Glen Rovers are back in an AIB Munster Senior Club Hurling Final for the first time in 40 years. The Cork outfit, who lost at the semi-final stage to Ballygunner last year, went one step better at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick to edge out Patrickswell.

They left it late, however, only getting ahead in the 58th minute through talismanic county forward Patrick Horgan, who collected eight points in total. And Glen Rovers had goalkeeper Cathal Hickey to thank for a couple of cracking second half saves to deny first Thomas O’Brien and later Seanie O’Brien.

Limerick star Cian Lynch also had an early opportunity that he flashed wide and on a day when Patrickswell should have had at least two goals, they failed to register a green flag. But Glen Rovers were wasteful themselves, particularly in the first half when they registered nine of their 13 wides.

They still managed to do enough, becoming the first Cork club to win a game in the provincial competition since Newtownshandrum won the 2009 final. At half-time, in front of 2,761 spectators on a bitterly cold afternoon, Rovers were 0-4 to 0-7 adrift, but had played against the breeze in the opening half.

Patrickswell were moving better, but failed to translate some good possession into scores, which left the door open for Rovers after half-time. After Hickey saved from Thomas O’Brien, Horgan hit a point from play at the other end to kickstart proceedings in the second half, but Aaron Gillane’s point had Patrickswell three clear again.

Rovers dug in and were level at nine points each when Horgan clipped over a 39th minute free. Patrickswell rallied again to move two points clear on three occasions as the scores began to flow freely but Horgan was the man who pulled them level at 0-3 apiece with eight minutes left.

Hickey was called into action again with five minutes left, pushing away Seanie O’Brien’s effort before Lar Considine pulled on the loose ball and put it wide with the goal gaping. Those were costly missed as, two minutes from time, Horgan somehow managed to engineer a free for himself despite being surrounded by a posse of Patrickswell players and converted for the lead score, 0-14 to 0-13.

Conor Dorris made it a two-point game with a glorious score from the touchline before Patrickswell gave themselves a glimmer of hope when their leading scorer Gillane was on target with a free in the second minute of stoppage time. But the clock ran out on Gary Kirby’s charges and Glen Rovers will now aim for a first Munster senior club title since 1976 in a fortnight’s time, when they face Clare kingpins Ballyea in a novel decider.

Ticket Information
Adult: €15.00
Juvenile (Under 16 Years of Age): Free of Charge
Concession (Student/OAP): €5.00 rebate available on the day at the designated stile at the venue with valid ID PRIOR to entry

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Sunday’s 32 page programme, packed with articles, club and player profiles, odds and ends and many photos as well as the essential team information.

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Gabriel Rangers (Cork) defeated Meelick (Clare) by 2-11 to 0-2 in the AIB Munster Junior Club Football Championship Quarter-Final on Sunday November 6th at Clonakilty.

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The Nire defeated Ballinacourty by 1-17 to 0-8 in the Waterford Senior Football Championship Final on Sunday November 6th at Fraher Field Dungarvan.

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Kilmoyley finally make Munster breakthrough with victory against Monaleen

Report by Jackie Cahill for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Kilmoyley (Kerry) 4-12 Monaleen (Limerick) 0-13

They’ve been knocking since 1971 but yesterday, the door finally opened for Kilmoyley. In all that time, they’ve been playing Munster club hurling at various grades, but had never won a game.

That was until the Kerry senior hurling kingpins cracked the code in the AIB Munster IHC, slaying Monaleen at the Gaelic Grounds, and with 11 points to spare. Victory has set up a final clash with Lismore, who boast Dan and Maurice Shanahan in their ranks, but Kilmoyley won’t fear them.

Some six weeks had passed since they retained their senior title in Kerry, and drew level with Ballyduff on 24 crowns each. And now the next challenge for Kilmoyley is to go one step better than Ballyduff, who lost Munster intermediate finals in 2011 and 2012.

Managing them is Fergie O’Loughlin, brother of Clare legend Ger, and he summoned the Banner spirit of ’95 before throw-in yesterday. O’Loughlin said: “I thought we had a great chance today, our preparation was very good, they bought into it and it’s a fantastic feeling. “My cry inside in the dressing room was that I mentioned Anthony Daly in 1995, that we were no longer going to be the whipping boys in Clare. “That statement needed to be made in Munster for Kerry hurling and Kilmoyley.”

And it was an emphatic statement as Kerry senior captain Daniel Collins led by example, collecting 1-7 while also providing an assist for the first of Maurice O’Connor’s two goals. That was Kilmoyley’s second green flag, after Adrian Royle had pounced earlier, and they led by 2-6 to 0-7 at half-time.

Monaleen, without county senior team selector Brian Geary and new call-up Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, briefly threatened a second half revival but a third goal for Kilmoyley, scored by Collins after a searing run, cut that short. And a fourth goal put the icing on the cake with ten minutes remaining, O’Connor collecting his second to put the seal on a memorable afternoon.

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Tony Kelly scored 1-10 as Ballyea staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Thurles Sarsfields at Cusack Park, Ennis. Thurles Sarsfields led by seven points with eight minutes of normal time remaining, but Ballyea, who won their first Clare SHC title a week ago, came storming back.

Kelly was immense, while Clare’s All Star Football nominee Gary Brennan forced extra-time grabbing a brilliant last gasp goal. Despite leaking two goals in the first six minutes, Thurles Sarsfields responded impressively departing at the break 1-11 to 2-4 in front.

Ballyea got off to a flying start with a fourth minute Tony Kelly goal from a penalty followed by a major from Pearse Lillis, who was causing Thurles plenty of problems. The Tipperary standard bearers, though, with Padraic Maher effective at centre back replied and were assisted by a fortuitous 13th minute Aidan McCormack goal.

That came during a Sarsfields burst in which they struck 1-6 without reply as McCormack and Pa Bourke were sharp in attack. Niall Deasy ended an 18 minute search for a Ballyea score, but Thurles still went in four points ahead at the turnaround.

When the action recommenced Pa Bourke continued to be effective for Thurles, who led by 1-15 to 2-6 at the three quarter mark. In the closing stages Kelly narrowed the gap with a string of delightful points before Brennan’s critical intervention.

It was a thrilling encounter with Ballyea, inspired by Kelly, outscoring Thurles 1-3 to 0-2 in the first period of extra-time with Damien Burke netting a 67th minute goal. A wonderful match remained packed with incident as Padraic Maher rattled the Ballyea in the 75th minute net to draw Sarfields level. But Ballyea stayed cool under pressure as Niall Deasy landed a free and a 65 to seal victory for the Clare outfit.

Ticket Information
Adult: €15.00
Juvenile (Under 16 Years of Age): Free of Charge
Concession (Student/OAP): €5.00 rebate available on the day at the designated stile at the venue with valid ID PRIOR to entry

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Sunday’s 32 page programme, packed with articles, club and player profiles, odds and ends and many photos as well as the essential team information.

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Played in dry and cold conditions at Fraher Field Dungarvan, Lismore raced in to a 1-3 to 0-0 lead, the goal coming courtesy of Maurice Shanahan in the fourth minute (pictured below).

Newport were creating chances in this period but had hit four wides and missed two goal chances before they opened their account in the 12th minute when Martin Carey set up Eamon McCormack for a goal.

Scores were at a premium for the next ten minutes but points from Dan Shanahan, Jack Prendergast and Maurice Shanahan (free) eased Lismore in to a five point lead approaching half-time. Newport managed to score two points from play in first half stoppage time courtesy of Martin Carey and Pa Ryan and at the interval, Lismore led by 1-6 to 1-3 with Newport rueing their 7 first half wides.

Lismore edged back in to a five point lead early in the second half as Jack Prendergast and Maurice Shanahan (free) scored points but Newport were soon to get a stranglehold on the game. Slowly but surely, the Tipperary side began to eat in to the deficit. Four points on the trot from Daniel Carew (3 frees) left just two points between the teams at the end of the third quarter. Further points from Odhran Floyd, Stephen O’Connor and Peter O’Sullivan brought the sides level in the 52nd minute and with all the momentum, Newport looked set for victory.

Crucially in this encounter, Lismore never trailed and their response to Newport’s purple patch was instant. Dan Shanahan managed to escape the shackles of Conor O’Mahony long enough to put Lismore back in front in the 53rd minute followed quickly by further points from Brendan Landers and Maurice Shanahan (free) to restore their three point advantage.

The game was now at fever pitch as the tackles flew in and every ball was eagerly contested. Newport to their credit kept plugging away and points from Darragh Carroll (free) and Pa Ryan left the minimum between the teams as the game entered injury time. When news of an additional four minutes injury time were relayed to the 841 patrons in attendance, the tension was palpable.

With the game flowing from end to end, Newport were now taking chances by pushing more players forward and this additional space allowed Lismore midfielder John Prendergast to score a point from play in the 62nd minute to put the Waterford champions in to a dangerous two point lead.

With a goal now required, Newport set about creating a goal chance and it duly arrived courtesy of excellent inter-play from Pa Ryan and team captain Sean O’Brien before O’Brien’s low shot went narrowly wide. Lismore won the resultant puckout and worked the ball to Maurice Shanahan who scored a point from play with the last puck of the game to secure a hard-earned but deserved three point victory.

Lismore will now play Monaleen (Limerick) or Kilmoyley (Kerry) in the Munster Final while Newport can look back with pride on their year while regretting the 14 wides they hit in this game as compared to 5 for the winners.

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